Lausanne World Pulse – News Briefs – December News from around the World
AROUND THE WORLD: Trans World Radio Selects New President
Trans World Radio (TWR) announced in October 2008 that Lauren Libby would serve as its new president and CEO. The decision was unanimous by TWR’s Board of Directors following a 6-month search process. Prior to this new position Libby served as vice president and CEO for The Navigators. Libby is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Religious Broadcasters, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and Northwestern College. He is also president and CEO of New Horizons Foundation, a public charity helping donors achieve their giving objectives in education, research, humanitarian aid, religion, and health-related areas. (Trans World Radio)
AROUND THE WORLD: WEA Appoints Spokesperson on Human Trafficking
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) announced the appointment of Christine MacMillan as a spokesperson for the WEA on human trafficking issues. MacMillan is director of the International Social Justice Commission of The Salvation Army and has spent much of her life providing social services for women and children. MacMillan hopes to work with the WEA in raising voices within the Church on human trafficking and perhaps make the Church itself a place of safety for those who are victimized. (World Evangelical Alliance)
AROUND THE WORLD: Youth For Christ Holds International Conference
Youth for Christ (YFC) recently held an international conference attended by 750 people from eighty countries. According to national director of YFC in the United States, Dan Wolgemuth, about half of the attendees were under the age of thirty. The conference included sessions of worship and prayer involving Christians from a variety of backgrounds. YFC sees its people reaching out to those whom other ministries have yet to reach. Wolgemuth called for prayer for the “continual movement toward young people who are on the fringes and are being discarded around the world.” (Mission Network News)
CHINA: Langham Foundation Develops Program for Chinese Pastors
In fellowship with local leaders, Langham Foundation Hong Kong has been working to launch a small pilot project for pastors from mainland China. Langham Preaching will help with the development of a week-long seminar for about thirty mainland pastors from various parts of China, focusing on the development of biblical preaching in church life. It will be an opportunity to assess needs in different Chinese contexts, prepare materials that might have wider applications, and look toward further development in a mainland Chinese context. (John Stott Ministries)
CONGO: MAF Ministers to Congolese Refugees
Amidst renewed attacks by the rebel group LRA in the North Kivu region of eastern Congo, many Congolese have been fleeing to neighboring Uganda. According to Fran Derocher, Africa director of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), “Many of our guys are flying in support of a lot of relief agencies who are trying to get some aid and medicines and food up there.” Although MAF specializes in working in remote areas, expenses, particularly rising fuel costs, have made operations more difficult. In addition, instability and violence in the region forced MAF out of its base in Nyankunde six years ago. MAF, which supports Christian workers, evangelists, teachers, medical personnel, and relief workers, subsequently moved that base to Bunia, Congo. (Mission Network News)
ECUADOR: Agricultural Projects Train Farmers and Spread God’s Word
International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries sometimes use gifts from the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund for agricultural projects that help make long-term solutions in times of crisis. IMB missionaries Darrell and Rogene Musick have worked in Ecuador treating livestock for parasites and disease and training farmers in caring for their livestock and raising crops. Farmers who completed the training have agreed to teach others what they learned. Through their work, the Musicks have been able to share the gospel, and since beginning their work in Ecuador four years ago, they have seen forty-two house churches start. (International Mission Board)